Study on Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Potential of Barringtonia asiatica Seed Kernel against MCF-7 Cell Line

Abstract

Breast cancer is the commonest carcinoma among women worldwide and the crude breast cancer incidence in Sri Lanka is 19 per 100,000 population, which is on the rise in the younger age groups due to increased life expectancy and urbanization. Thus discovery of novel pharmacological agents for effective therapeutic control and treatment is essential. Barringtonia asiatica, mainly grown as an ornamental plant in Sri Lanka is a native of mangrove habitats on the tropical coasts and islands of the Indian Ocean. The present study investigated the cytotoxic potential and mechanisms of cytotoxicity of crude methanolic extract (CME) and an isolated fraction (MPLCBA-3) of CME from Barringtonia asiatica seed kernel against MCF-7 cell line. The cytotoxic potential was determined by standard lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and the mechanism of action with Caspase Glo 3/7 assay. Each of results were expressed as the average of replicates. The percentage leakage of cellular LDH to the medium increased with increasing concentrations of both CME and MPLCBA-3 compared to control. The cytotoxic potential of MPLCBA-3 was higher at lower concentrations than with CME. Caspase 3/7 activities significantly (p < 0.05) increased in MCF-7 cells after treatment with both CME and MPLCBA3 at all tested concentrations when compared with the untreated control after 24 hours. Subsequently treated MCF-7 cell DNA on gel electrophoresis showed a smeared pattern indicating DNA fragmentation. According to the results obtained, both CME and MPLCBA-3 indicated cytotoxicity and initiation of apoptosis in the MCF-7 cells, with higher cytotoxic potential present in the isolated fraction.